Methods and apparatus to generate and process management frames

ABSTRACT

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to generate a management frame identifying an operation mode for a basic service set of a local area network. An example disclosed method includes performing an assessment of a wireless network and determining an operation mode for a basic service set (BSS) bandwidth based on the assessment, the operation mode indicating continuity of a primary segment, a secondary segment, a tertiary segment and a quaternary segment. The example method further includes creating a management frame including information fields based on the BSS bandwidth, the information fields including a first channel width field, a second channel width field, a third channel width field, a first center frequency field, a second center frequency field and a third center frequency field and transmitting the management frame over the wireless network.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to communication between access pointsand stations, and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus togenerate and process management frames.

BACKGROUND

Many locations provide Wi-Fi to connect Wi-Fi enabled devices tonetworks such as the Internet. Wi-Fi enabled devices include personalcomputers, video-game consoles, mobile phones and devices, tablets,smart televisions, digital audio player, etc. Wi-Fi allows Wi-Fi enableddevices to wirelessly access the Internet via a wireless local areanetwork (WLAN). To provide Wi-Fi connectivity to a device, a Wi-Fiaccess point transmits a radio frequency Wi-Fi signal to the Wi-Fienabled device within the signal range of the access point (e.g., a hotspot, a modem, etc.). A Wi-Fi access point periodically sends out abeacon frame which contains information that allows Wi-Fi enableddevices to identify, connect to and transfer data to the access point.

Wi-Fi is implemented using a set of media access control (MAC) andphysical layer (PHY) specifications (e.g., such as the Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 protocol). Devices(e.g., access points and Wi-Fi enabled devices) able to operate usingIEEE 802.11 protocol are referred to as stations (STA).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a communication system utilizing wirelesslocal area network protocols in which the teachings of this disclosuremay be implemented.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example implementation of the operationmanager of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A-3H are examples of four segment operation modes andcorresponding example values of an associated management frame includingcenter frequency and channel width fields.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example transmission of a trigger frame froman access point (AP) to stations (STAs) in communication with the AP.

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example formatting of the exampletrigger frame of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example formatting of a common infofield of the trigger frame of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5C is a diagram showing an example formatting of a user info fieldof the example trigger frame of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5D is a diagram showing an example bit structure of the resourceallocation subfield of the user info field of FIG. 5C and/or an exampleformatting of a resource allocation subfield in a control informationsubfield of uplink multi-user response scheduling (UMRS) information.

FIGS. 6-7 are an example flowcharts representative of machine readableinstructions that may be executed to implement the AP and the STAs ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a radio architecture in accordance withsome examples.

FIG. 9 illustrates example front-end module circuitry for use in theradio architecture of FIG. 8 in accordance with some examples.

FIG. 10 illustrates example radio IC circuitry for use in the radioarchitecture of FIG. 8 in accordance with some examples.

FIG. 11 illustrates example baseband processing circuitry for use in theradio architecture of FIG. 8 in accordance with some examples.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a processor platform structured to executethe example machine readable instructions of FIGS. 6 and 7 associatedwith the access point of FIG. 1 to implement the example access point ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a processor platform structured to executethe example machine readable instructions of FIGS. 6 and 7 associatedwith the STAs of FIG. 1 to implement one or more of the example STAs ofFIG. 1.

The figures are not to scale. In general, the same reference numberswill be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying writtendescription to refer to the same or like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various locations (e.g., homes, offices, coffee shops, restaurants,parks, airports, etc.) may provide Wi-Fi to the Wi-Fi enabled devices(e.g., STAs) to connect the Wi-Fi enabled devices to the Internet, orany other network, with minimal hassle. The locations may provide one ormore Wi-Fi access points (APs) to output Wi-Fi signals to the Wi-Fienabled devices within a range of the Wi-Fi signals (e.g., a hotspot). AWi-Fi AP is structured to wirelessly connect a Wi-Fi enabled device tothe Internet through a wireless local area network (WLAN) using Wi-Fiprotocols (e.g., such as IEEE 802.11). The Wi-Fi protocol is theprotocol for how the AP communicates with the devices to provide accessto the Internet by transmitting uplink (UL) transmissions and receivingdownlink (DL) transmissions to/from the Internet. Wi-Fi protocolsdescribe a variety of management frames (e.g., beacon frames, triggerframes, etc.) that facilitate the communication between access pointsand stations.

Current generation Wi-Fi devices operation in one or both of a 5gigahertz (GHz) frequency band or 2.4 GHz frequency band. Largeroperating bands allow Wi-Fi devices to potentially transmit at greaterbandwidths. Current Wi-Fi protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.11ac) have a maximumallowable bandwidth of 160 megahertz (MHz). However, because differentportions of the operating band of the 5 GHz may have reserved functions,160 MHz continuous segments in the 5 GHz band may not be available.Accordingly, IEEE 802.11ac describes management frames for two modes of160 MHz operation, namely, a contiguous 160 MHz operation mode and anon-contiguous 80 MHz+80 MHz operation mode. In many examples, APs andSTAs capable of operating in modes with multiple, non-continuoussegments may require additional hardware for the transmitter andreceiver.

For next generation Wi-Fi technology and for operation at new, lesscrowded bands (e.g., the 6 GHz band), the maximum data throughput may beincreased to enable larger amounts of data to be transferred to betweenAPs and connected STAs. The current IEEE protocol (e.g., IEEE 802.11ac)does not support operation modes with greater than 160 MHz totalconfigured bandwidth.

Examples disclosed herein include methods and apparatus to allow accesspoints and stations to operate with four segment operation modes.Examples disclosed herein include a contiguous one segment mode, asymmetric two segment mode, asymmetric two segment modes, asymmetricthree segment modes, and a symmetric four segment mode. Examplesdisclosed herein include methods to modify the management frames toenable operation in 320 MHz modes. In some examples disclosed herein, amanagement frame containing a plurality of center frequency fields andchannel width fields is transmitted from the access point. In someexamples disclosed herein, a trigger frame containing a modified userinfo field and a common info field is transmitted from the access point.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a communication system 100 utilizingwireless local area network protocols in which the teachings of thisdisclosure may be implemented. The example system 100 of FIG. 1 includesan example AP 102, an example application processor 104, an operationmanager 106 and an example radio architecture 108, an example network110 and example STAs 112-118, one of which is shown in further detail atreference numeral 112. The example AP 102 communicates with the exampleSTA 112, which includes an example interface 120, example radioarchitecture 122 and an example frame processor 124.

The example AP 102 of FIG. 1 is a device allowing the example STAs112-118 to wirelessly access the example network 110. The example AP 102may be a router, a modem-router, and/or any other device that provides awireless connection to the network 110. A router provides a wirelesscommunication link to a STA. The router accesses the network 110 througha wire connection via a modem. A modem-router combines thefunctionalities of the modem and the router. The example AP 102 includesthe example operation manager 106 to enable operation in 320 MHzoperation modes.

The example application processor 104 of FIG. 1 generates data to betransmitted to a device and/or performs operations based on dataextracted from one or more data packets. For example, the applicationprocessor 104 may be a MAC controller in the MAC layer of the AP 102.The application processor 104 instructs the example operation manager106 to perform operations to enable 320 MHz basic service set (BSS)bandwidth configuration. Additionally, the application processor 104receives data that has been received from a transmitting device (e.g.,the example STAs 112-118). For example, the application processor 104may receive synchronous data to synchronize itself with a connecteddevice by setting a timer at the MAC layer.

The example operation manager 106 of the example AP 102 of the examplesystem 100 of FIG. 1 determines which channels of AP 102 operation bandare available and determines the bands and channels that will beconfigured as BSS bandwidth for 320 MHz operation. In some examples,after the configuration of BSS bandwidth is complete or substantiallycomplete, the operation manager 106 determines the channels among theconfigured BSS bandwidth to be available. The example operation manager106 is described in conjunction with FIG. 2. In some examples, theoperation manager 106 additionally generates the management frames(e.g., a beacon frame, a trigger frame, etc.) to be transmitted by theradio architecture 108. In other examples, the management frames may begenerated by any other suitable component of the AP 102. In someexamples, all or part of the operation manager 106 can an externaldevice to the AP 102. In other examples, all or part of the operationmanager 106 can be implemented by the application processor 104.

The example radio architecture 108 transmits data from the AP 102 andreceives data transmitted to the AP 102. In some examples, the radioarchitecture 108 facilitates communication between the AP 102 and STAs112-118. The example radio architecture 108 is described below infurther detail below in conjunction with FIG. 8.

The example network 110 of FIG. 1 is a system of interconnected systemsexchanging data. The example network 110 may be implemented using anytype of public or private network such as, but not limited to, theInternet, a telephone network, a local area network (LAN), a cablenetwork, and/or a wireless network. To enable communication via thenetwork 110, the example AP 102 includes a communication interface thatenables a connection to an Ethernet, a digital subscriber line (DSL), atelephone line, a coaxial cable, or any wireless connection, etc. Insome examples, the example network 110 provides the requested data tothe operation manager 106 to be organized into data packets.

The example STAs 112-118 of FIG. 1 are Wi-Fi enabled computing devices.The example STAs 112-118 may be, for example, computing devices,portable devices, mobile devices, mobile telephones, smart phones,tablets, gaming systems, digital cameras, digital video recorders,televisions, set top boxes, e-book readers, automated systems,VR-enabled devices, and/or any other Wi-Fi enabled devices. The exampleSTA 112 includes the example interface 120, the example STA radioarchitecture 122 and an example frame processor 124.

The example interface 120 of the STA 112 allows the frame processor 124and the STA radio architecture 122 to communicate. In some examples, theinterface 120 further allows communication with the frame processor 124and communication to other elements of the STA 112 (e.g., an operatingsystem, etc.). In some examples, the interface 120 may determine if amanagement frame (e.g., a beacon frame, a trigger frame, etc.) has beenreceived by the STA radio architecture 122. In some examples, theinterface 120 may request and transmit the uplink of data to the AP 102.

The example STA radio architecture 122 allows the STA 112 to send andreceive transmissions from the AP 102. For example, the STA radioarchitecture 122 allows the STA 112 to connect with the AP 102. In someexamples, the communication circuitry also transmits management framesfrom the STA 112 to the AP 102. In some examples, the STA radioarchitecture 122 allows the STA 112 to communicate with other STAs(e.g., the STAs 114-118, etc.). In some examples, the STA radioarchitecture 122 is physically similarly to the structure of radioarchitecture 108 as described in FIG. 8. In some examples, the STA radioarchitecture 122 and radio architecture 108 operate on different (e.g.,separate) transmission and/or reception frequencies.

The example frame processor 124 processes the management frames receivedby the STA radio architecture 122 via the interface 120. In someexamples, the frame processor 124 decodes received management frames(e.g., a beacon frame, etc.) to determine which channels the BSS isconfigured for BSS bandwidth, which can be 320 MHz, and notify operationmanager 106. In some examples, the frame processor 124 processes thetrigger frame to enable the synchronous transmission data with otherSTAs on the network (e.g., the STAs 112-118). In this example, the frameprocessor 124 may execute instructions that cause the STA 112 to preparefor simultaneous uplink (e.g., opens the appropriate filter).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example implementation of the operationmanager 106 of FIG. 1. As disclosed herein the operation manager 106 isconfigured to facilitate four segment operation modes in wireless localarea networks. The example operation manager 106 includes an examplecomponent interface 202, an example channel assessor 204, and an exampleframe generator 206.

The example interface 202 of FIG. 2 interfaces with components of thetransmitting device (e.g., the example AP 102 of FIG. 1) to transmitand/or receive signals (e.g., instructions to generate managementframes, instructions to generate data packets, etc.) from the exampleapplication processor 104 of FIG. 1. In some examples, when the exampleoperation manager 106 is implemented in the AP 102, the interface 202may instruct the example radio architecture 108 of FIGS. 1 and/or 8 totransmit data packets and/or management frames.

The example channel assessor 204 determines which channels of the Wi-Fioperation band are available to configure as BSS bandwidth for a 320 MHzoperation mode. For example, if a contiguous 320 MHz channel is notavailable, the channel assessor 204 may identify a plurality of smallerchannels (e.g., four, 80 MHz channels) as the configuration of the BSSbandwidth. For example, the example channel assessor 204 can instructthe radio architecture 108 to monitor which channels are in use byneighboring access points. Additionally or alternatively, the channelassessor 204 may instead contain a lookup table of reserved channels(e.g., for military use, etc.). In some examples, the channel assessor204 can determine which channels to transmit and receive data over byinquiring a user of the network. In this example, the channel assessor204 may prompt the user (e.g., the network administrator, etc.) tomanually select which channel(s) to transmit the data over. In someexamples, the channel assessor 204 may determine which channels totransmit and receive data over based on minimizing interference.Additionally, in some examples, the example channel assessor 204 canalso determine which operational band(s) are appropriate for operationof the AP 102. For example, the channel assessor 204 may determine ifthe AP 102 is to operate in one or more of the 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band,6 GHz band, etc.

The example frame generator 206 generates management, data, and controlframe(s) for the AP 102. For example, the application processor 104 mayrequest a management frame to establish, maintain, authenticate,associate and/or request communication from a STA. In some examples,management frames include fields which contain the relevant informationcontained in the frame. For example, the frame generator 206 mayperiodically generate a management frame (e.g. a beacon frame, anassociation response frame, an authentication frame, a reassociationresponse frame, etc.) to announce the presence of the AP 102 and relayinformation (e.g., a timestamp, a service set identifier (SSID), the BSSbandwidth of the AP 102, etc.) to STAs within range of the AP 102. Insome examples, the example STAs 112-118 constantly scans for managementframes. In the illustrated example, the frame generator 206 generatesthe fields of a management frame (e.g., a beacon frame) based on the BSSbandwidth the AP 102 will configure for transmitting and receiving dataover. For example, one or more channel width fields and one or morecenter frequency segment fields can vary based on the selected BSSbandwidth). Additional detail in the formatting of the generatedmanagement frames is described below in conjunction with FIGS. 3A-3H.

The frame generator 206 may additionally generate control frames, suchas a trigger frame, which is a type of control frame that triggerssimultaneous uplink transmission from STAs. An example trigger frame isdescribed below with conjunction with FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. In someexamples, the frame generator 206 generates the fields of a triggerbased on what channels the AP 102 will be transmitting and receivingdata over. For example, one or more user info fields and resourceallocation can vary based on the selected transmission channel(s).

While an example manner of implementing the operation manager 106 ofFIG. 1 is illustrated in FIG. 2, one or more of the elements, processesand/or devices illustrated in FIG. 4 may be combined, divided,re-arranged, omitted, eliminated and/or implemented in any other way.Further, the example interface 202, the example channel assessor 204,the example frame generator 206, the example packet generator 208, theexample frequency segmenter 210 and/or, more generally, the exampleoperation manager 106 of FIG. 1 may be implemented by hardware,software, firmware and/or any combination of hardware, software and/orfirmware. Thus, for example, any of the example interface 202, theexample channel assessor 204, the example frame generator 206, and/or,more generally, the example operation manager 106 could be implementedby one or more analog or digital circuit(s), logic circuits,programmable processor(s), programmable controller(s), graphicsprocessing unit(s) (GPU(s)), digital signal processor(s) (DSP(s)),application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logicdevice(s) (PLD(s)) and/or field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)).When reading any of the apparatus or system claims of this patent tocover a purely software and/or firmware implementation, at least one ofthe example interface 202, the example channel assessor 204 and/or, theexample frame generator 206, is/are hereby expressly defined to includea non-transitory computer readable storage device or storage disk suchas a memory, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a compact disk (CD), aBlu-ray disk, etc. including the software and/or firmware. Furtherstill, the example operation manager of FIG. 1 may include one or moreelements, processes and/or devices in addition to, or instead of, thoseillustrated in FIG. 2, and/or may include more than one of any or all ofthe illustrated elements, processes and devices. As used herein, thephrase “in communication,” including variations thereof, encompassesdirect communication and/or indirect communication through one or moreintermediary components, and does not require direct physical (e.g.,wired) communication and/or constant communication, but ratheradditionally includes selective communication at periodic intervals,scheduled intervals, aperiodic intervals, and/or one-time events.

FIGS. 3A-3H are examples of four segment operation modes andcorresponding example values of an associated management frame includingcenter frequency and channel width fields. The examples of FIGS. 3A-3H(e.g., the operation modes 300A-300H) illustrate the example fields of amanagement frame transmitted by an access point (e.g., the AP 102 ofFIG. 1) operating in the operation mode of the respective examples. Theexamples of FIGS. 3A-3H additional can be divided into primary segments(e.g., primary segments 302A-302H), secondary segments (e.g., secondarysegments 304A-302H), tertiary segments (e.g., tertiary segments306A-306H) and quaternary segments (e.g., quaternary segments308A-308H). In the illustrated examples of FIGS. 3A-3H, the primarysegments 302A-302H, the secondary segments 304A-302H, the tertiarysegments 306A-306H and the quaternary segments 308A-308H are 80 MHz inlength. In the illustrated examples, the primary segments 302A-302H, thesecondary segments 304A-302H, the tertiary segments 306A-306H and thequaternary segments 308A-308H are presented in a particular order. Inother examples, the segments may be in any other order.

The examples of FIGS. 3A-3H illustrate the values (e.g., the locations)of a management frame with one or more elements including example newoperation element channel width subfields (e.g., the NOECW subfields310A-310H), example channel center frequency segment 0 subfields (e.g.,the CCFS0 subfields 312A-312H), example channel center frequencysegments 1 subfields (e.g., the CCFS1 subfields 314A-314H), example newchannel center frequency segments 2 subfields (e.g., the NCCFS2subfields 316A-316H) and example channel center frequency segments 3subfields (e.g., the CCFS3 subfields 318D, 318E, 318G, 318H). In someexamples, an example new second center frequency field (e.g., the NCCFS2subfields 316A-316H), an example third center frequency field (e.g., theCCFS3 subfields 318D, 318E, 318G, 318H) and a new operation elementchannel width subfield (e.g., the NOECW subfields 310A-310H) can beincluded on a new element of a management frame, distinct from elementsdescribed in current IEEE protocols.

The example CCFS0 subfields 312A-312H represent the location of thecenter frequency of the primary 80 MHz segments 304A-304H. In someexamples, the CCFS0 subfields 312A-312H represent the value of channelcenter frequency element 0 subfield of the very high throughput (VHT)basic service set (BSS) Operation element, as described in IEEE protocol802.11ac.

The example CCF subfields 314A-314H represent the location of the centerfrequency of the secondary 80 MHz segment if the primary segment andsecondary segment are not contiguous or the intersection of the primarysegment and secondary segment if the primary segment and secondarysegment are contiguous. In some examples, the CCFS1 subfields 314A-314Hrepresent the value of the channel center frequency segment 1 subfieldof the VHT Operation Element as described in IEEE protocol 802.11ac. Insome examples, the CCFS2 subfields 314A-314H represent the value of thechannel center frequency segment 2 subfield of the HT Operation Elementas described in IEEE protocol 802.11.

The example NOECW subfields 310A-310H can be used to differentiatebetween the different operation modes 300A-300H of FIGS. 3A-3H. In someexamples, the NOECW subfields 310A-310H indicate the operation bandwidthwith channel width field in HT (high throughput) operation element andchannel width field in the VHT operation element, as described in IEEEprotocol 802.11 protocols. In some examples, the NOECW subfields310A-310H can be in one or more subfields defined in the next generationWi-Fi protocols. In some examples, the NOECW subfields 310A-310H can beincluded in the wide bandwidth channel switch element of a managementframe, as defined in 9.4.2.161 of the IEEE 802.11-2016 standard tofacilitate channel switch. In some examples, the NOECW subfields310A-310H can be included in the wide channel bandwidth channelsub-element as defined in FIG. 9-302 of the IEEE 802.11-2016 standard.In some examples, a NOECW subfield value of “zero” indicates the accesspoint is operating in a total channel bandwidth of less than 320 MHz.Alternatively, any value or set of values of the NOECW subfield may beused to indicate a total channel bandwidth of less than 320 MHz. As usedherein, “new operation element channel width” and “third channel width”are used interchangeable and to distinguish the example NOECW subfields310A-310H from existing subfields described in the current IEEEprotocols.

FIG. 3A is an illustration of an example single segment 320 MHzoperation mode 300A for a BSS bandwidth with an example primary 80 MHzsegment 302A, an example 80 Hz secondary segment 304A, and exampletertiary 80 MHz segment 306A and an example quaternary segment 308A. Inthe illustrated example, the primary 80 MHz segment 302A, the example 80Hz secondary segment 304A, the example tertiary 80 MHz segment 306A andthe example quaternary segment 308A are contiguous and form an examplesingle segment 318. The example single segment 320 MHz operation mode300A has associated management frame (e.g., a beacon frame) with one ormore elements including an example NOECW subfield 310A, an example CCFS0subfield 312A, an example CCFS1 subfield 314A and an example NCCFS2subfield 316A. In some examples, a CCFS3 subfield is not required toinstruct a STA to operation in operation mode 300A. For example, in theillustrated example of FIG. 3A, a channel center frequency segment 3 isnot included and has a subfield value of zero. Alternatively, thechannel center frequency segment 3 may have any suitable value.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 3A, the example segments 302A-308Aare identified in the management frame as a single contiguous 320 MHzchannel as the single segment 318. The example illustrated managementframe with one or more elements (e.g., the NOECW subfield 310A, theCCFS0 subfield 312A, the example CCFS1 subfield 314A, the example NCCFS2subfield 316A) contains the information required to configure a STA toreceive data transmitted from an access point configuring the BSSbandwidth as the example single segment 320 MHz operation mode 300A. Insome examples, the management frame configuring the single segmentoperation mode 300A contains additional subfields. In the illustratedexample, the NOECW subfield 310A has a value of one. In other examples,the NOECW subfield 310A may have any other suitable value to differentthe single segment 320 MHz operation mode 300A from other 320 MHzoperation modes (e.g., the operation modes 300B-300H). The example CCFS0subfield 312A represents the center frequency value of the primarysegment 302A. The example CCFS1 subfield 314A value represents theintersection of the primary segment 302A and secondary segment 304A.Alternatively, the example CCFS1 subfield 314A may have any suitablevalue.

The example NCCFS2 subfield 316A represent the center frequency of thesingle segment 318 (e.g., the center frequency of the contiguous primarysegment 302A, secondary segment 304A, primary segment 306A andquaternary segment 308A). Alternatively, the example NCCFS2 subfield316A may have any other suitable value to indicate the center frequencyof the single segment 318.

FIG. 3B is an illustration of an example two segment symmetric 320 MHzoperation mode 300B for a BSS bandwidth with an example primary 80 MHzsegment 302B, an example 80 Hz secondary segment 304B, and exampletertiary 80 MHz segment 306B and an example quaternary segment 308B. Inthe illustrated example, the primary 80 MHz segment 302B and the example80 Hz secondary segment 304B are contiguous and form an example first160 MHz segment 320. In the illustrated example, the example tertiary 80MHz segment 306B and the example quaternary segment 308B are contiguousand form an example second 160 MHz segment 322. The example two segmentsymmetric 320 MHz operation mode 300B is associated with a managementframe (e.g., a beacon frame) with one or more elements including anexample NOECW subfield 310B, an example CCFS0 subfield 312B, an exampleCCFS1 subfield 314B and an example NCCFS2 subfield 316B. In someexamples, a CCFS3 subfield is not required to instruct a STA tooperation in operation mode 300B. For example, in the illustratedexample of FIG. 3B, a channel center frequency segment 3 subfield is notincluded and has a subfield value of zero. Alternatively, the channelcenter frequency segment 3 subfield may have any suitable value.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 3B, the example segments 302B-308Bare identified in the management frame as two 160 MHz channels as thefirst 160 MHz segment 320 and the second 160 MHz segment 322. Theexample illustrated management frame with one or more elements (e.g.,the NOECW subfield 310B, the CCFS0 subfield 312B, the example CCFS1subfield 314B, the example NCCFS2 subfield 316B) contains theinformation required to configure a STA to receive data transmitted froman access point configuring the BSS bandwidth as the example two segmentsymmetric 320 MHz operation mode 300B. In some examples, the managementframe configuring the two segment symmetric 320 MHz operation mode 300Bcontains additional subfields. In the illustrated example, the NOECWsubfield 310B has a value of two. In other examples, the NOECW subfield310B may have any other suitable value to different two segmentsymmetric 320 MHz operation mode 300B contains additional subfields fromother 320 MHz operation modes (e.g., the operation modes 300A,300C-300H). The example CCFS0 subfield 312B represents the centerfrequency value of the primary segment 302B. The example CCFS1 subfield314B value represents the first 160 MHz segment 320 (e.g., theintersection of the primary segment 302B and secondary segment 304B).Alternatively, the example CCFS1 subfield may have any suitable value.

The example NCCFS2 subfield 316B represent the center frequency of thesecond 160 MHz segment 322 (e.g., the intersection of the tertiarysegment 306B and the quaternary segment 308B). Alternatively, theexample NCCFS2 subfield 316A may have any other suitable value toindicate the center frequency of the single segment 318.

FIG. 3C is an illustration of an example two segment asymmetric 320 MHzoperation mode 300C for a BSS bandwidth with an example primary 80 MHzsegment 302C, an example 80 Hz secondary segment 304C, and exampletertiary 80 MHz segment 306C and an example quaternary segment 308C. Inthe illustrated example, the primary 80 MHz segment 302C is on a channelnon-contiguous with the example 80 Hz secondary segment 304C, and theexample tertiary 80 MHz segment 306C and the example quaternary segment308C. In the illustrated example, the example secondary 80 MHz segment304C, the example tertiary 80 MHz segment 306C and the examplequaternary segment 308C are contiguous and form an example 240 MHzsegment 326. The example two segment asymmetric 320 MHz operation mode300C is associated with a management frame (e.g., a beacon frame) withone or more elements including an example NOECW subfield 310C, anexample CCFS0 subfield 312C, an example CCFS1 subfield 314C and anexample NCCFS2 subfield 316B. In some examples, a CCFS3 subfield is notrequired to instruct a STA to operation in operation mode 300C. Forexample, in the illustrated example of FIG. 3C, a channel centerfrequency segment 3 subfield is not included and has a subfield value ofzero. Alternatively, the channel center frequency segment 3 subfield mayhave any suitable value.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 3C, the example segments 302C-308Care identified in the management frame as an 80 MHz and a 240 MHzchannels as the primary segment 302C and the 240 MHz segment 326. Theexample illustrated management frame with one or more (e.g., the NOECWsubfield 310C, the CCFS0 subfield 312C, the example CCFS1 subfield 314C,the example NCCFS2 subfield 316C) contains the information required toconfigure a STA to receive data transmitted from an access pointconfiguring the BSS bandwidth as the example two segment asymmetric 320MHz operation mode 300C. In some examples, the management frameconfiguring the two segment asymmetric 320 MHz operation mode 300Ccontains additional subfields. In the illustrated example, the NOECWsubfield 310C has a value of one. In other examples, the NOECW subfield310C may have any other suitable value to different two segmentasymmetric 320 MHz operation mode 300C contains additional subfieldsfrom other 320 MHz operation modes (e.g., the operation modes 300A,300B, 300D-300H). The example CCFS0 subfield 312C represents the centerfrequency value of the primary segment 302C. The example CCFS1 subfield314C value represents the center frequency of the secondary segment304C. Alternatively, the example CCFS1 may have any suitable value. Theexample NCCFS2 subfield 316C represent the center frequency of thesecondary segment 304C and the tertiary segment 306C.

FIG. 3D is an illustration of an example two segment asymmetric 320 MHzoperation mode 300D for a BSS bandwidth with an example primary 80 MHzsegment 302D, an example 80 Hz secondary segment 304D, and exampletertiary 80 MHz segment 306D and an example quaternary segment 308D. Inthe illustrated example, the quaternary 80 MHz segment 308D is on achannel non-contiguous with the example 80 Hz primary segment 302D, andthe example secondary 80 MHz segment 304D and the example tertiarysegment 306D. In the illustrated example, the example primary 80 MHzsegment 302D, the example secondary 80 MHz segment 304D and the exampletertiary segment 306D are contiguous and form an example 240 MHz segment328. The example two segment asymmetric 320 MHz operation mode 300D isassociated with a management frame (e.g., a beacon frame) with one ormore elements including an example NOECW subfield 310D, an example CCFS0subfield 312D, an example CCFS1 subfield 314D, an example NCCFS2subfield 316D and example CCFS3 subfield 318D.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 3D, the example segments 302D-308Dare identified in the management frame as an 80 MHz and a 240 MHzchannels as the 240 MHz segment 328 and the quaternity segment 308D. Theexample illustrated management frame with one or more elements (e.g.,the NOECW subfield 310D, the CCFS0 subfield 312D, the example CCFS1subfield 314D, the example NCCFS2 subfield 316D, the example CCFS3 318D,etc.) contain the information required to configure a STA to receivedata transmitted from an access point configuring the BSS bandwidth asthe example two segment asymmetric 320 MHz operation mode 300D. In someexamples, the management frame configuring the two segment asymmetric320 MHz operation mode 300D contains additional subfields. In theillustrated example, the NOECW subfield 310D has a value of three. Inother examples, the NOECW subfield 310C may have any other suitablevalue to different two segment asymmetric 320 MHz operation mode 300Dcontains additional subfields from other 320 MHz operation modes (e.g.,the operation modes 300A-300C, 300E-300H). The example CCFS0 subfield312D represents the center frequency value of the primary segment 302C.The example CCF subfield 314D represents the center frequency of thecombined the secondary segment 304D and primary segment 302D (e.g., theintersection of the primary segment 302D and the secondary segment304D). Alternatively, the example CCFS1 subfield may have any suitablevalue. The example NCCFS2 subfield 316D represents the center frequencyof the secondary segment 304D and the tertiary segment 306D (e.g., theintersection of the secondary segment 304D and tertiary segment 306D).The example CCFS3 subfield 318D represents the center frequency of thequaternary segment 308D.

FIG. 3E is an illustration of an example three segment asymmetric 320MHz operation mode 300E for a BSS bandwidth with an example primary 80MHz segment 302E, an example 80 Hz secondary segment 304E, and exampletertiary 80 MHz segment 306E and an example quaternary segment 308E. Inthe illustrated example, the tertiary 80 MHz segment 306E is on achannel non-contiguous with the example 80 Hz primary segment 302E, andthe example secondary 80 MHz segment 304E and the example quaternarysegment 308E. In the illustrated example, the quaternary 80 MHz segment308E is on a channel non-contiguous with the example 80 Hz primarysegment 302E, and the example secondary 80 MHz segment 304E and theexample tertiary segment 306E. In the illustrated example, the exampleprimary 80 MHz segment 302E and the example secondary 80 MHz segment304E are contiguous and form an example 160 MHz segment 330. The examplethree segment asymmetric 320 MHz operation mode 300E is associated witha management frame (e.g., a beacon frame) with one or more elementsincluding an example NOECW subfield 310E, an example CCFS0 subfield312E, an example CCFS1 subfield 314E, an example NCCFS2 subfield 316Eand example CCFS3 subfield 318E.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 3E, the example segments 302E-308Eare identified in the management frame as two 80 MHz channels and a 160MHz channel as the 160 MHz segment 330, tertiary segment 306E and thequaternity segment 308E. The example illustrated management frame withone or more elements subfields (e.g., the NOECW subfield 310E, the CCFS0subfield 312E, the example CCFS1 subfield 314E, the example NCCFS2subfield 316E, the example CCFS3 subfield 318E, etc.) contain theinformation required to configure a STA to receive data transmitted froman access point configuring the BSS bandwidth as the example threesegment asymmetric 320 MHz operation mode 300E. In some examples, themanagement frame configuring the three segment asymmetric 320 MHzoperation mode 300E contains additional subfields. In the illustratedexample, the NOECW subfield 310E has a value of four. In other examples,the NOECW subfield 310C may have any other suitable value to differentthree segment asymmetric 320 MHz operation mode 300E contains additionalsubfields from other 320 MHz operation modes (e.g., the operation modes300A-300D, 300F-300H). The example CCFS0 subfield 312E represents thecenter frequency value of the primary segment 302E. The example CCFS1subfield 314E value represents the center frequency of the 160 MHzsegment 330 (e.g., the intersection of the primary segment 302E and thesecondary segment 304E). Alternatively, the example CCFS1 subfield 314Emay have any suitable value. The example NCCFS2 subfield 316E representthe center frequency of the tertiary segment 306E. Alternatively, theexample NCCFS2 subfield 316E may have any suitable value. The exampleCCFS3 subfield 318E represent the center frequency of the quaternarysegment 308E. Alternatively, the example CCFS3 subfield 318E may haveany suitable value.

FIG. 3F is an illustration of an example three segment asymmetric 320MHz operation mode 300F for a BSS bandwidth with an example primary 80MHz segment 302F, an example 80 Hz secondary segment 304F, and exampletertiary 80 MHz segment 306F and an example quaternary segment 308F. Inthe illustrated example, the primary 80 MHz segment 302F is on a channelnon-contiguous with the example 80 Hz secondary segment 304F, and theexample tertiary 80 MHz segment 304F and the example quaternary segment308F. In the illustrated example, the secondary 80 MHz segment 304F ison a channel non-contiguous with the example 80 Hz primary segment 302F,and the example tertiary 80 MHz segment 306F and the example quaternarysegment 308F. In the illustrated example, the example tertiary 80 MHzsegment 306F and the example quaternary 80 MHz segment 308F arecontiguous and form an example 160 MHz segment 332. The example threesegment asymmetric 320 MHz operation mode 300F is associated with amanagement frame (e.g., a beacon frame) with one or more elementsincluding an example NOECW subfield 310F, an example CCFS0 subfield312F, an example CCFS1 subfield 314F and an example NCCFS2 subfield316F. In some examples, a CCFS3 subfield is not required to instruct aSTA to operation in operation mode 300F. For example, in the illustratedexample of FIG. 3F, a channel center frequency segment 3 subfield is notincluded and has a subfield value of zero. Alternatively, the channelcenter frequency segment 3 subfield may have any suitable value.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 3F, the example segments 302F-308Fare identified in the management frame as two 80 MHz channels and a 160MHz channel as the primary segment 302F and the secondary segment 304Fand the 160 MHz segment 332. The example illustrated management framewith one or more elements (e.g., the NOECW subfield 310F, the CCFS0subfield 312F, the example CCFS1 subfield 314F, the example NCCFS2subfield 316F, etc.) contains the information required to configure aSTA to receive data transmitted from an access point configuring the BSSbandwidth as the example three segment asymmetric 320 MHz operation mode300F. In some examples, the management frame configuring the threesegment asymmetric 320 MHz operation mode 300F contains additionalsubfields. In the illustrated example, the NOECW subfield 310F has avalue of two. In other examples, the NOECW subfield 310C may have anyother suitable value to different three segment asymmetric 320 MHzoperation mode 300F contains additional subfields from other 320 MHzoperation modes (e.g., the operation modes 300A-300E, 300G-300H). Theexample CCFS0 subfield 312F represents the center frequency value of theprimary segment 302F. Alternatively, the example CCFS0 subfield 312F mayhave any suitable value. The example CCFS1 subfield 314F valuerepresents the center frequency of the secondary segment 304E.Alternatively, the example CCFS1 subfield 314F may have any suitablevalue. The example NCCFS2 subfield 316F represent the center frequencyof the 160 MHz segment (e.g., the intersection of the tertiary segment306E and the quaternary segment 308E). Alternatively, the example NCCFS2subfield 316F may have any suitable value.

FIG. 3G is an illustration of an example three segment asymmetric 320MHz operation mode 300G for a BSS bandwidth with an example primary 80MHz segment 302G, an example 80 Hz secondary segment 304G, and exampletertiary 80 MHz segment 306G and an example quaternary segment 308G. Inthe illustrated example, the quaternary 80 MHz segment 308G is on achannel non-contiguous with the example 80 Hz primary segment 302G, andthe example secondary 80 MHz segment 304G and the example tertiarysegment 306G. In the illustrated example, the example secondary 80 MHzsegment 306G and the example tertiary 80 MHz segment 306G are contiguousand form an example 160 MHz segment 334. The example three segmentasymmetric 320 MHz operation mode 300G is associated with a managementframe (e.g., a beacon frame) with one or more elements including anexample NOECW subfield 310G, an example CCFS0 subfield 312G, an exampleCCFS1 subfield 314G, an example NCCFS2 316G and a CCFS3 subfield 318G.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 3G, the example segments 302G-308Gare identified in the management frame as two 80 MHz channels and a 160MHz channel as the primary segment 302G and the quaternary segment 304Gand the 160 MHz segment 334. The example illustrated management framewith one or more elements (e.g., the NOECW subfield 310G, the CCFS0subfield 312G, the example CCFS1 subfield 314G, the example NCCFS2subfield 316G, the example CCFS3 subfield etc.) contain the informationrequired to configure a STA to receive data from an access point usingthe example three segment asymmetric 320 MHz operation mode 300G. Insome examples, the management frame configuring the three segmentasymmetric 320 MHz operation mode 300G contains additional subfields. Inthe illustrated example, the NOECW subfield 310G has a value of three.In other examples, the NOECW subfield 310C may have any other suitablevalue to different three segment asymmetric 320 MHz operation mode 300Gcontains additional subfields from other 320 MHz operation modes (e.g.,the operation modes 300A-300F, 300H). The example CCFS0 subfield 312Grepresents the center frequency value of the primary segment 302G.Alternatively, the example CCFS0 subfield 312G may have any suitablevalue. The example CCFS1 subfield 314G value represents the centerfrequency of the secondary segment 304G. Alternatively, the exampleCCFS1 subfield 314G may have any suitable value. The example NCCFS2subfield 316G represent the center frequency of the 160 MHz segment 334(e.g., the intersection of the secondary segment 304G and the tertiarysegment 306G). Alternatively, the example NCCFS2 subfield 316G may haveany suitable value. The example CCFS3 subfield 318G value represents thecenter frequency of the quaternary segment 308G. Alternatively, theexample CCFS3 subfield 318G may have any suitable value.

FIG. 3H is an illustration of an example four segment symmetric 320 MHzoperation mode 300H for a BSS bandwidth with an example primary 80 MHzsegment 302H, an example 80 Hz secondary segment 304H, and exampletertiary 80 MHz segment 306H and an example quaternary segment 308H. Inthe illustrated example, each of the primary 80 MHz segment 302H, theexample 80 Hz secondary segment 304H, example tertiary 80 MHz segment306H and quaternary segment 308H are on non-contiguous channels. Theexample three segment asymmetric 320 MHz operation mode 300H isassociated with a management frame (e.g., a beacon frame) with one ormore elements including an example NOECW subfield 310H, an example CCFS0subfield 312H, an example CCFS1 subfield 314H, an example NCCFS2 316Hand a CCFS3 subfield 318H.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 3H, the example segments 302H-308Hare identified in the management frame as four non-contiguous 80 MHzchannels. The example illustrated management frame with one or moreelements (e.g., the NOECW subfield 310H, the CCFS0 subfield 312H, theexample CCFS1 subfield 314H, the example NCCFS2 subfield 316H, theexample CCFS3 subfield etc.) contains the information required toconfigure a STA to receive data transmitted from an access pointconfiguring BSS bandwidth as the example three segment asymmetric 320MHz operation mode 300H. In some examples, the management frameconfiguring the four segment symmetric 320 MHz operation mode 300Hcontains additional subfields. In the illustrated example, the NOECWsubfield 310H has a value of four. In other examples, the NOECW subfield310C may have any other suitable value to different four segmentsymmetric 320 MHz operation mode 300H contains additional subfields fromother 320 MHz operation modes (e.g., the operation modes 300A-300G). Theexample CCFS0 subfield 312H represents the center frequency value of theprimary segment 302H. Alternatively, the example CCFS0 subfield 312H mayhave any suitable value. The example CCFS1 subfield 314H valuerepresents the center frequency of the secondary segment 304H.Alternatively, the example CCFS1 subfield 314H may have any suitablevalue. The example NCCFS2 subfield 316H represent the center frequencyof the tertiary segment 306H. Alternatively, the example NCCFS2 subfield316H may have any suitable value. The example CCFS3 subfield 318H valuerepresents the center frequency of the quaternary segment 308H.Alternatively, the example CCFS3 subfield 318H may have any suitablevalue.

FIG. 4 is an example diagram 400 of an example transmission of a triggerframe 402 from an access point (AP) to stations (STAs) in communicationwith the AP. In the illustrated example, an access point (e.g., the AP102 of FIG. 1) transmits a trigger frame over an 80 MHz channel to fourSTAs (e.g., the STAs 112-118 of FIG. 1). The example trigger frame 402is a control frame which can be used to trigger simultaneous uplinktransmission of STAs 112-118. In some examples, the trigger frame 402can be used to transmit schedules to STAs to specify which STAs cantransmit during a specified time. The example formatting of a triggerframe capable of supporting 320 MHz operation modes is described belowin conjunction with FIGS. 5A-5D. In the illustrated example, thesolicited STA(s) (e.g., the STAs 112-118 of FIG. 1) interpret thetrigger frame to prepare for simultaneous uplink transmission.

FIG. 5A is a diagram 500 showing an example formatting of the exampletrigger frame 402 of FIG. 4. In the illustrated example, the exampletrigger frame 402 contains a frame control field, duration field, RAfield, TA field, common info field 502, user info field 504, a paddingfield and an FCS field. In some examples, the trigger frame 402 may beformatted with as described in the IEEE 802.11ax protocol withmodifications to the common info field 502 and the user info field 504.In other examples, any other suitable modifications may be made to thetrigger frame protocol of IEEE 802.11ax to support operation in 320 MHzoperation modes.

FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example formatting of a common infofield 502 of the trigger frame of FIG. 4. The example common info field502 includes trigger type subfield, length subfield, cascade indicationfield, CS required field, bandwidth (BW) subfield 506, GI and LTF typesubfield, MU-MIMO LTF mode subfield, number of HE-LTF symbols subfield,and mid-amble periodicity subfield, STBC subfield, LDPC extra symbolsegment, AP TX Power subfield, packet extension subfield, spatial reusesubfield, doppler subfield, high efficiency signal field A (HE-SIG-A)Reserved subfield 508, a reserved subfield and a trigger dependentcommon info subfield.

The value of the bits contained in the BW subfield 506 and HE-SIG-AReserved subfield 508 indicate the bandwidth used by the transmittedtrigger frame 402. For example, according to 802.11ax, the two bits ofthe example BW subfield 506 determines if the bandwidth of thetransmitted trigger frame is 20 MHz (bits of ‘00’), 40 MHz (bits of“01”), 80 MHz (bits of “10”) and 80+80 MHz/160 MHz (bits of “11”). Insome examples, the number of bits of the BW subfield 506 must beexpanded to support 320 MHz operation modes. For example, one or morebits of the nine bits HE-SIG-A Reserved subfield 508 may be allocated toBW subfield 506 to allow for additional bandwidths to be indicatedtherein. Alternatively, one or more bits of the HE-SIG-A subfield 508may be allocated to a new subfield to indicate if the trigger frame isto operate in a 320 MHz operation mode.

For example, a one or more bit “BW extended” subfield may be allocatedfrom the HE-SIG-A subfield 508. In some examples, if the BW extendedsubfield is one bit, if the bit is ‘1,’ it is indicated that the triggerframe 402 is to operate in a 320 MHz operation mode (e.g., the operationmodes 300A-300H). In this example, if the BW extended subfield is ‘0,’it may be indicated that the trigger frame 402 is to operate in anoperation mode with a bandwidth less than or equal to 160 MHz.Alternatively, in some examples, the “BW extended” subfield may be morethan one bit to allow indication of 320 MHz operation modes and 240 MHzoperation modes. For example, one entry except all 1 may indicate alloperation modes of 320 MHz (e.g., the operation modes 300C-300H), oneentry except all 1 may indicate a contiguous 320 MHz operation mode(e.g., operation mode 300A), one entry except all 1 may indicate 160MHz+160 MHz operation mode (e.g., operation mode 300B), one entry exceptall 1 may indicate 240 MHz operation modes and one entry except all onemay indicate a 240 MHz contiguous operation mode. In some examples, ifthe field is not set to all 1, the BW field 506 of Trigger frame 402 iflegacy HE STA is allocated with resource utilization that covers primary80 MHz or secondary MHz in the signaling of the trigger frame 402. Inother examples, any suitable formatting may be used for the BW extendedsubfield.

FIG. 5C is a diagram showing an example formatting of a user info field504 of the example trigger frame of FIG. 4. The example user info field504 includes an AD12 subfield, a RU allocation subfield 510, a codingtype subfield, an MCS subfield, a DCM subfield 512, a SSallocation/random access resource utilization information subfield, atarget RSSI subfield, a reserved subfield 514 and a trigger dependentuser info. The values of the bits of the RU allocation subfields 510,DCM subfield 512 and reserved subfield 514 may be modified to enable thetrigger frame 402 to operate in a 320 MHz operation mode. The RUallocation subfield 510 is a control information subfield that indicatesthe resource utilization of the access point to the solicited STAindicated by the User Info field. In the current 802.11ax, the encodingthe of the eight bits of the RU allocation subfield 510 determine theresource allocation indicated by the trigger frame 402.

FIG. 5D is a diagram showing an example bit structure of the resourceallocation subfield of the user info field of FIG. 5C and/or an exampleformatting of a resource allocation subfield in a control informationsubfield of uplink multi-user response scheduling (UMRS) information.The RU allocation subfield 510 is composed an example first bit 516, anexample second bit 518, an example third bit 520, an example fourth bit522, an example fifth bit 524, an example sixth bit 526, an exampleseventh bit 528 and an example eighth bit 530. In some examplesdisclosed herein, the RU allocation subfield 510 may be appended by anadditional example ninth bit 532. In some examples, the UMRS controlinformation uses the same formatting as the RU allocation subfield 510.UMRS information is a signaling in A-control subfield of the HE variantHT control field to trigger uplink multi-user transmission (e.g., HEtrigger-based PLCP Protocol Data Unit (PPDU)). Accordingly, themodifications to the RU allocation subfield 510 of the trigger framedescribed in conjunction with FIG. 5C can similarly be applied to the RUallocation subfield of the UMRS control information. In this disclosure,“uplink multi-user response scheduling” (UMRS) and “triggered responsescheduling” (TRS) are used interchangeably.

The example ninth bit 532 may be allocated from the DCM subfield 512. Inother examples, the ninth bit 532 may be allocated from the reservedsubfield 514. Alternatively, the ninth bit 532 may instead be allocatedfrom any appropriate subfield of the trigger frame 402. The example bits518-530 may be used to represent any number between 0 and 128 bymanipulating if each of the example bits 516-530 is ‘0’ or ‘1.’ Forexample, the example RU allocation subfield may have a value of ‘29’ ifthe example second bit 518, the example third bit 520 and the exampleseventh bit are ‘0’ and the example fourth bit 522, the example fifthbit 524, the example sixth bit 526 and the example eighth bit 530 are‘1’ (e.g., a binary value of 00011101). In the 802.11ax protocol, theexample first bit can be used to if the RU is 160 MHz (e.g., 2×966 toneRU). In the 802.11ax protocol, values of 0 to 36 represent possible26-tone RU cases in 80 MHz, values of 37 to 52 represent possible52-tone RU cases sin 80 MHz, values of 53-60 represent possible 106-toneRU cases in 80 MHz, values of 61-64 represent possible 242-tone RU casesin 80 MHz and values of 65-66 represent possible 996-tone RU allocationcases. The values of 69-127 are reserved.

To enable the trigger frame 402 to operate in a 320 MHz operation mode,the RU allocation subfield 510 and/or, more generally, the user infofield 504 can be modified from the 802.11ax protocol. In some examples,the RU allocation subfield 510 is only modified if the BW subfield 506indicates the trigger frame 402 is to operate in a 320 MHz operation.For example, some of or all of the 26-tonne RU allocation indications(e.g., values 0-36) may be to allow indications of larger indications.In some examples, the first bit 516 can be used to indicate if the RUallocation is in the first primary 160 MHz or the secondary 160 MHz.Alternatively, any other bit may be used to indicate if the RUallocation is the first primary 160 MHz or the secondary 160 MHz. Insome examples, the second bit 518 may be used to further define if theRU allocation is in the primary, secondary or tertiary, quaternary 80MHz (e.g., the segments 302H-308H of FIG. 3H). For example, if the RUallocation is in the primary 160 MHz, the second bit 518 may be used toindicate if the RU allocation is the primary or secondary 80 MHz. Forexample, if the RU allocation is the secondary 160 MHz, the second bit518 may be used to indicate if the RU allocation is in the tertiary orquaternary 80 MHz.

In some examples, the bits 520-530 can be used to indicate possibleRU-cases (e.g., a total 64 entries). For example, 16 values can be usedto indicate 52-tone RU allocation in 80 MHz, 8 values can be used toindicate 106-tone RU allocation in 80 MHz, 4 values can be used for theindication of 242-tone RU allocation in 80 MHz, 2 values can be used forthe indication of 484-tone RU allocation in 80 MHz, 1 entry can be usedfor the indication of 996-tone RU allocation in 80 MHz, 1 value can beused for the indication of 2×996-tone RU allocation in 160 MHz, 1 entrycan be used for the indication of 4×996-tone RU allocation in 320 MHz, 4entries can be used for 26-tones RU allocation to represent the center26-tone of each 20 MHz and 1 entry can be used for 26-tones RUallocation to represent the center 26-tone RU of 80 MHz. In otherexamples, any suitable values may be used to represent RU allocation inthe trigger frame 402 in 320 MHz operation modes.

In other examples, as described above, an additional ninth bit 532 maybe allocated. In some examples, the additional ninth bit 532 may becontiguous to the bits 516-530. In other examples, the ninth bit 532 maynot be contiguous to the bits 516-530. In some examples, the ninth bit532 may form all or a portion of an RU allocation extension subfield onthe user info field 504. In this example, the ninth bit 532 can be usedto indicate if the RU allocation is in the primary 160 MHz or thesecondary 160 MHz. In this example, any one of the bits 516-530 may beused to indicate in the RU allocation is in the primary, secondary,tertiary or quart nary 80 MHz.

In some examples, the trigger frame 402 may be formatted in a manner notillustrated in the FIGS. 5A-5D. In some examples, more bits may be addedto the trigger frame 402 to enable indicate of larger bandwidths or RUallocations.

A flowchart representative of example hardware logic, machine readableinstructions, hardware implemented state machines, and/or anycombination thereof for implementing the example AP 102 and/or theexample STA(s) 112-118 of FIGS. 1 and 2 are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Themachine-readable instructions may be an executable program or portion ofan executable program for execution by a computer processor such as theprocessor 1212 shown in the example processor platform 1200 discussedbelow in connection with FIG. 12. The program may be embodied insoftware stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage mediumsuch as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a hard drive, a DVD, a Blu-ray disk, ora memory associated with the processor 1212, but the entire programand/or parts thereof could alternatively be executed by a device otherthan the processor 1212 and/or embodied in firmware or dedicatedhardware. Further, although the example program is described withreference to the flowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, many othermethods of implementing the example AP 102 and/or STA 112 mayalternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocksmay be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed,eliminated, or combined. Additionally or alternatively, any or all theblocks may be implemented by one or more hardware circuits (e.g.,discrete and/or integrated analog and/or digital circuitry, an FPGA, anASIC, a comparator, an operational-amplifier (op-amp), a logic circuit,etc.) structured to perform the corresponding operation withoutexecuting software or firmware.

As mentioned above, the example processes of FIGS. 6 and 7 may beimplemented using executable instructions (e.g., computer and/or machinereadable instructions) stored on a non-transitory computer and/ormachine readable medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, aread-only memory, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a cache, arandom-access memory and/or any other storage device or storage disk inwhich information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended timeperiods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarily buffering,and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the termnon-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined to includeany type of computer readable storage device and/or storage disk and toexclude propagating signals and to exclude transmission media.

“Including” and “comprising” (and all forms and tenses thereof) are usedherein to be open ended terms. Thus, whenever a claim employs any formof “include” or “comprise” (e.g., comprises, includes, comprising,including, having, etc.) as a preamble or within a claim recitation ofany kind, it is to be understood that additional elements, terms, etc.may be present without falling outside the scope of the correspondingclaim or recitation. As used herein, when the phrase “at least” is usedas the transition term in, for example, a preamble of a claim, it isopen-ended in the same manner as the term “comprising” and “including”are open ended. The term “and/or” when used, for example, in a form suchas A, B, and/or C refers to any combination or subset of A, B, C such as(1) A alone, (2) B alone, (3) C alone, (4) A with B, (5) A with C, (6) Bwith C, and (7) A with B and with C.

FIG. 6 is an example flowchart 600 representative of machine readableinstructions which may be executed by the AP 102 of FIGS. 1 and 2 toenable 320 MHz operation modes for wireless local area networks.Additionally, FIG. 9 illustrates an example flowchart 612 representativeof machine readable instructions that may be executed by the example STA112 of FIG. 1 to enable 320 MHz operation modes for wireless local areanetworks in response to communication from the AP 102. Although theexamples of FIG. 6 are described in conjunction with the example AP 102and STA 112 in the network of FIG. 1, the instructions may be executedby any type of access point and/or STA in any wireless communicationenvironment. The flowchart 600 begins at block 602.

At block 602, the application processor 104 determines the operationband(s) of the wireless computer to operate in. For example, theapplication processor 104 may determine if the access point is tooperate in the 2.4 GHz, 3.6 GHz, 4.9 GHz, 5 GHz, 5.9 GHz and/or anyother suitable band (e.g., a 6 GHz or 7 GHz band) operation band. Insome examples, the application processor 104 may interface with thechannel assessor 204 of the operation manager 106 to determine whichchannels are available for transmission (e.g., performs a clear channelassessment (CCA)). In this example, the application processor 104 canthen determine the operation band of AP 102 based on the availability ofchannels within the operation band. Additionally or alternatively, theapplication processor 104 may determine the operation band based a userinput and/or setting. At block 604, the channel assessor 204 performs aCCA for the determined network. For example, the channel assessor 204may determine which channels in the determined are idle or not idle. Insome examples, the application processor 104 may determine that multipleoperation bands may be used. For example, the application processor 104may configure BSS bandwidth on channels in adjacent operation bands(e.g., the 5 GHz band and the 6 GHz band, etc.).

At block 606, the application processor 104 determines the 320 MHzoperation modes (e.g., the modes 300A-300H of FIGS. 3A-3H, respectively)for a BSS bandwidth for the AP 102 is to operate in. For example, theapplication processor 104 may interface with the channel assessor 204(e.g., via the interface 202 of FIG. 2) to determine which of thechannels in the operation band are idle. In some examples, theapplication processor may determine the operation mode based on a userselection or input. In some examples, the application processor 104 maydetermine the BSS bandwidth of the primary 80 MHz segment 302A-302H, thesecondary 80 MHz segment 304A-304H, the tertiary 80 MHz segment306A-306H and the quaternary 80 MHz segment 308A-308H.

At block 608, the frame generator 206 creates a management framecomposed of information fields based on the one or more segments, theinformation fields including a plurality of channel width fields and aplurality of center frequency fields. For example, the frame generator206 may create the management frame based on determined operation modeand the BSS bandwidth. In some examples, the information fields (e.g.,the NOECW subfields 310A-310H, CCFS0 subfields 312A-312H, CCFS1subfields 314A-314H, the NCCFS2 subfields 316A-316H) are given valuesbased on the selection operation mode and/or associated transmissionchannels of the primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary segments(e.g., the primary 80 MHz segment 302A-302H, the secondary 80 MHzsegment 304A-304H, the tertiary 80 MHz segment 306A-306H and thequaternary 80 MHz segment 308A-308H). At block 610, the radioarchitecture 108 transmits the management frame over a wireless computernetwork. After block 610, the process 600 ends.

The process 612 begins at block 614. At block 614, the STA radioarchitecture 122 receives the management frame transmit by the AP 102.At block 616, the frame processor 124 decodes the received managementframe, the management frame composed of information fields, theinformation fields including a plurality of channel width fields and aplurality of center frequency fields. In some examples, the informationfields (e.g., the NOECW subfields 310A-310H, the CCFS0 subfields312A-312H, the CCFS1 subfields 314A-314H, the NCCFS2 subfields316A-316H) are given values based on the operation mode and/orassociated transmission channels of the access point (e.g., the primary80 MHz segment 302A-302H, the secondary 80 MHz segment 304A-304H, thetertiary 80 MHz segment 306A-306H and the quaternary 80 MHz segment308A-308H). In some examples, the management frame indicates otherinformation required to receive and upload information to and from theaccess point. After block 616, the process 600 ends.

FIG. 7 is an example flowchart 700 representative of machine readableinstructions which may be executed by the AP 102 of FIGS. 1 and 2 toenable 320 MHz operation modes for wireless area networks. Additionally,FIG. 9 illustrates an example flowchart 710 representation of machinereadable instructions that may be executed by the example STA 112 ofFIG. 1 to enable 320 MHz operation modes for wireless area networks inresponse to communication from the AP 102. Although the examples of FIG.7 are described in conjunction with the example AP 102 and STA 112 inthe network of FIG. 1, the instructions may be executed by any type ofaccess point and/or STA (e.g., the STAS 114-118 of FIG. 1) in anywireless communication environment. The flowchart 710 begins at block700 and the flowchart 700 begins at block 702.

At block 702, the STA 112 requests at uplink transmission to the AP 102.For example, the STA 112 may transmit a frame requesting the uplink ofdata to the AP 102. At block 704, the frame generator 206 generates thetrigger frames including information required to enable 320 MHzoperation. For example, the trigger frame may be formatted in accordancewith one or more samples of FIGS. 5A-5D. In some examples, the framegenerator 206 may instead generate UMRS control information.

At block 706, the radio architecture 108 transmits the trigger frame(e.g., the trigger frame 402) to the solicited STA (e.g., the STAexecuting the flowchart 700). Additionally or alternatively, if UMRScontrol information was generated, the radio architecture 108 may alsotransmit the UMRS control information.

At block 708, the STA radio architecture 122 receives the transmittedtrigger frame. At block 712, the frame processor 124 decodes the triggerframe 402. For example, the trigger frame may be formatted as describedabove in conjunction with 5A-5D. For example, the frame processor 124may instruct the STA 112 to prepare for uplink by opening theappropriate filter. In some examples, the trigger frame 402 to determinethe resource unit allocation and timing of the upload. In some examples,the trigger frame may indicate when and which channels the STA 112 istransmit the upload information to the access point. At block 714, theinterface 120 instructs the communication circuitry to transmit theuplink data to the AP 102. The process 710 ends. At block 714, the radioarchitecture 108 receives the uplink data and the process 700 ends.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a radio architecture 108 in accordance withsome embodiments that may be implemented in the example AP 102. Radioarchitecture 108 may include radio front-end module (FEM) circuitry804A-804B, radio IC circuitry 806A-b and baseband processing circuitry808A-808B. Radio architecture 108 as shown includes both Wireless LocalArea Network (WLAN) functionality and Bluetooth (BT) functionalityalthough embodiments are not so limited. In this disclosure, “WLAN” and“Wi-Fi” are used interchangeably.

FEM circuitry 804A-804B may include a WLAN or Wi-Fi FEM circuitry 804Aand a Bluetooth (BT) FEM circuitry 804B. The WLAN FEM circuitry 804A mayinclude a receive signal path comprising circuitry configured to operateon WLAN RF signals received from one or more antennas 801, to amplifythe received signals and to provide the amplified versions of thereceived signals to the WLAN radio IC circuitry 806A for furtherprocessing. The BT FEM circuitry 804B may include a receive signal pathwhich may include circuitry configured to operate on BT RF signalsreceived from one or more antennas 801, to amplify the received signalsand to provide the amplified versions of the received signals to the BTradio IC circuitry 806B for further processing. FEM circuitry 804A mayalso include a transmit signal path which may include circuitryconfigured to amplify WLAN signals provided by the radio IC circuitry806A for wireless transmission by one or more of the antennas 801. Inaddition, FEM circuitry 804B may also include a transmit signal pathwhich may include circuitry configured to amplify BT signals provided bythe radio IC circuitry 806B for wireless transmission by the one or moreantennas. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, although FEM 804A and FEM 804Bare shown as being distinct from one another, embodiments are not solimited, and include within their scope the use of an FEM (not shown)that includes a transmit path and/or a receive path for both WLAN and BTsignals, or the use of one or more FEM circuitries where at least someof the FEM circuitries share transmit and/or receive signal paths forboth WLAN and BT signals.

Radio IC circuitry 806A-b as shown may include WLAN radio IC circuitry1106 a and BT radio IC circuitry 806B. The WLAN radio IC circuitry 806Amay include a receive signal path which may include circuitry todown-convert WLAN RF signals received from the FEM circuitry 804A andprovide baseband signals to WLAN baseband processing circuitry 808A. BTradio IC circuitry 806B may in turn include a receive signal path whichmay include circuitry to down-convert BT RF signals received from theFEM circuitry 804B and provide baseband signals to BT basebandprocessing circuitry 808B. WLAN radio IC circuitry 806A may also includea transmit signal path which may include circuitry to up-convert WLANbaseband signals provided by the WLAN baseband processing circuitry 808Aand provide WLAN RF output signals to the FEM circuitry 804A forsubsequent wireless transmission by the one or more antennas 801. BTradio IC circuitry 806B may also include a transmit signal path whichmay include circuitry to up-convert BT baseband signals provided by theBT baseband processing circuitry 808B and provide BT RF output signalsto the FEM circuitry 804B for subsequent wireless transmission by theone or more antennas 801. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, although radio ICcircuitries 806A and 806B are shown as being distinct from one another,embodiments are not so limited, and include within their scope the useof a radio IC circuitry (not shown) that includes a transmit signal pathand/or a receive signal path for both WLAN and BT signals, or the use ofone or more radio IC circuitries where at least some of the radio ICcircuitries share transmit and/or receive signal paths for both WLAN andBT signals.

Baseband processing circuity 808A and 808B may include a WLAN basebandprocessing circuitry 808A and a BT baseband processing circuitry 808B.The WLAN baseband processing circuitry 808A may include a memory, suchas, for example, a set of RAM arrays in a Fast Fourier Transform orInverse Fast Fourier Transform block (not shown) of the WLAN basebandprocessing circuitry 808A. Each of the WLAN baseband circuitry 808A andthe BT baseband circuitry 808B may further include one or moreprocessors and control logic to process the signals received from thecorresponding WLAN or BT receive signal path of the radio IC circuitry806A-B, and to also generate corresponding WLAN or BT baseband signalsfor the transmit signal path of the radio IC circuitry 1106A and 1106B.Each of the baseband processing circuitries 808A and 808B may furtherinclude physical layer (PHY) and medium access control layer (MAC)circuitry, and may further interface with the example operation manager106 for generation and processing of the frames and data packets and forcontrolling operations of the radio IC circuitry 806A-b.

Referring still to FIG. 8, according to the shown embodiment, WLAN-BTcoexistence circuitry 813 may include logic providing an interfacebetween the WLAN baseband circuitry 808A and the BT baseband circuitry808B to enable use cases requiring WLAN and BT coexistence. In addition,a switch 803 may be provided between the WLAN FEM circuitry 804A and theBT FEM circuitry 804B to allow switching between the WLAN and BT radiosaccording to application needs. In addition, although the antennas 801are depicted as being respectively connected to the WLAN FEM circuitry804A and the BT FEM circuitry 804B, embodiments include within theirscope the sharing of one or more antennas as between the WLAN and BTFEMs, or the provision of more than one antenna connected to each of FEM804A or 804B.

In some embodiments, the front-end module circuitry 804A-804B, the radioIC circuitry 806A-b, and baseband processing circuitry 808A-808B may beprovided on a single radio card, such as wireless radio card 802. Insome other embodiments, the one or more antennas 801, the FEM circuitry804A-804B and the radio IC circuitry 806A and 806B may be provided on asingle radio card. In some other embodiments, the radio IC circuitry806A and 806B and the baseband processing circuitry 808A-808B may beprovided on a single chip or integrated circuit (IC), such as IC 812.

In some embodiments, the wireless radio card 802 may include a WLANradio card and may be configured for Wi-Fi communications, although thescope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some ofthese embodiments, the radio architecture 108 may be configured toreceive and transmit orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) ororthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communicationsignals over a multicarrier communication channel. The OFDM or OFDMAsignals may comprise a plurality of orthogonal subcarriers.

In some of these multicarrier embodiments, radio architecture 108 may bepart of a Wi-Fi communication station (STA) such as a wireless accesspoint (AP), a base station or a mobile device including a Wi-Fi device.In some of these embodiments, radio architecture 108 may be configuredto transmit and receive signals in accordance with specificcommunication standards and/or protocols, such as any of the Instituteof Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards including,802.11n-2009, IEEE 802.11-2012, IEEE 802.11-2016, 802.11n-2009,802.11ac, 802.11ah, 802.11ad, 802.1lay and/or 802.11ax standards and/orproposed specifications for WLANs, although the scope of embodiments isnot limited in this respect. Radio architecture 108 may also be suitableto transmit and/or receive communications in accordance with othertechniques and standards.

In some embodiments, the radio architecture 108 may be configured forhigh-efficiency Wi-Fi (HEW) communications in accordance with the IEEE802.11ax standard. In these embodiments, the radio architecture 108 maybe configured to communicate in accordance with an OFDMA technique,although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

In some other embodiments, the radio architecture 108 may be configuredto transmit and receive signals transmitted using one or more othermodulation techniques such as spread spectrum modulation (e.g., directsequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA) and/or frequencyhopping code division multiple access (FH-CDMA)), time-divisionmultiplexing (TDM) modulation, and/or frequency-division multiplexing(FDM) modulation, although the scope of the embodiments is not limitedin this respect.

In some embodiments, as further shown in FIG. 8, the BT basebandcircuitry 808B may be compliant with a Bluetooth (BT) connectivitystandard such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth 12.0 or Bluetooth 10.0, or anyother iteration of the Bluetooth Standard. In embodiments that includeBT functionality as shown for example in FIG. 8, the radio architecture108 may be configured to establish a BT synchronous connection oriented(SCO) link and or a BT low energy (BT LE) link. In some of theembodiments that include functionality, the radio architecture 108 maybe configured to establish an extended SCO (eSCO) link for BTcommunications, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited inthis respect. In some of these embodiments that include a BTfunctionality, the radio architecture may be configured to engage in aBT Asynchronous Connection-Less (ACL) communications, although the scopeof the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some embodiments,as shown in FIG. 8, the functions of a BT radio card and WLAN radio cardmay be combined on a single wireless radio card, such as single wirelessradio card 802, although embodiments are not so limited, and includewithin their scope discrete WLAN and BT radio cards.

In some embodiments, the radio architecture 108 may include other radiocards, such as a cellular radio card configured for cellular (e.g., 3GPPsuch as LTE, LTE-Advanced or 5G communications).

In some IEEE 802.11 embodiments, the radio architecture 108 may beconfigured for communication over various channel bandwidths includingbandwidths having center frequencies of about 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz,and bandwidths of about 2 MHz, 4 MHz, 5 MHz, 5.5 MHz, 6 MHz, 8 MHz, 10MHz, 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz (with contiguous bandwidths) or 80+80 MHz(160 MHz) (with non-contiguous bandwidths). In some embodiments, a 920MHz channel bandwidth may be used. The scope of the embodiments is notlimited with respect to the above center frequencies however.

FIG. 9 illustrates WLAN FEM circuitry 804A in accordance with someembodiments. Although the example of FIG. 9 is described in conjunctionwith the WLAN FEM circuitry 804A, the example of FIG. 9 may be describedin conjunction with the example BT FEM circuitry 804B (FIG. 11),although other circuitry configurations may also be suitable.

In some embodiments, the FEM circuitry 804A may include a TX/RX switch902 to switch between transmit mode and receive mode operation. The FEMcircuitry 904 a may include a receive signal path and a transmit signalpath. The receive signal path of the FEM circuitry 804A may include alow-noise amplifier (LNA) 906 to amplify received RF signals 903 andprovide the amplified received RF signals 907 as an output (e.g., to theradio IC circuitry 806A-b of FIG. 8). The transmit signal path of thecircuitry 804A may include a power amplifier (PA) to amplify input RFsignals 909 (e.g., provided by the radio IC circuitry 806A-b of FIG. 8),and one or more filters 912, such as band-pass filters (BPFs), low-passfilters (LPFs) or other types of filters, to generate RF signals 915 forsubsequent transmission (e.g., by one or more of the antennas 801 ofFIG. 8) via an example duplexer 914.

In some dual-mode embodiments for Wi-Fi communication, the FEM circuitry804A may be configured to operate in either the 2.4 GHz frequencyspectrum or the 12 GHz frequency spectrum. In these embodiments, thereceive signal path of the FEM circuitry 804A may include a receivesignal path duplexer 904 to separate the signals from each spectrum aswell as provide a separate LNA 906 for each spectrum as shown. In theseembodiments, the transmit signal path of the FEM circuitry 804A may alsoinclude a power amplifier 910 and a filter 912, such as a BPF, an LPF oranother type of filter for each frequency spectrum and a transmit signalpath duplexer 904 to provide the signals of one of the differentspectrums onto a single transmit path for subsequent transmission by theone or more of the antennas 801 of FIG. 8. In some embodiments, BTcommunications may utilize the 2.4 GHz signal paths and may utilize thesame FEM circuitry 804A as the one used for WLAN communications.

FIG. 10 illustrates radio IC circuitry 806A in accordance with someembodiments. The radio IC circuitry 806A is one example of circuitrythat may be suitable for use as the WLAN or BT radio IC circuitry 806Aof FIG. 8, although other circuitry configurations may also be suitable.Alternatively, the example of FIG. 10 may be described in conjunctionwith the example BT radio IC circuitry 806B.

In some embodiments, the radio IC circuitry 806A may include a receivesignal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of theradio IC circuitry 806A may include at least mixer circuitry 1002, suchas, for example, down-conversion mixer circuitry, amplifier circuitry1006 and filter circuitry 1008. The transmit signal path of the radio ICcircuitry 806A may include at least filter circuitry 1012 and mixercircuitry 1014, such as, for example, up-conversion mixer circuitry.Radio IC circuitry 806A may also include synthesizer circuitry 1004 forsynthesizing a frequency 1005 for use by the mixer circuitry 1002 andthe mixer circuitry 1014. The mixer circuitry 1002 and/or 1014 may each,according to some embodiments, be configured to provide directconversion functionality. The latter type of circuitry presents a muchsimpler architecture as compared with standard super-heterodyne mixercircuitries, and any flicker noise brought about by the same may bealleviated for example through the use of OFDM modulation. FIG. 10illustrates only a simplified version of a radio IC circuitry, and mayinclude, although not shown, embodiments where each of the depictedcircuitries may include more than one component. For instance, mixercircuitry 1014 may each include one or more mixers, and filtercircuitries 1008 and/or 1012 may each include one or more filters, suchas one or more BPFs and/or LPFs according to application needs. Forexample, when mixer circuitries are of the direct-conversion type, theymay each include two or more mixers.

In some embodiments, mixer circuitry 1002 may be configured todown-convert RF signals 907 received from the FEM circuitry 904 a-b ofFIG. 8 based on the synthesized frequency 1005 provided by synthesizercircuitry 1004. The amplifier circuitry 1006 may be configured toamplify the down-converted signals and the filter circuitry 1008 mayinclude an LPF configured to remove unwanted signals from thedown-converted signals to generate output baseband signals 1007. Outputbaseband signals 1007 may be provided to the baseband processingcircuitry 808A-808B of FIG. 8 for further processing. In someembodiments, the output baseband signals 1007 may be zero-frequencybaseband signals, although this is not a requirement. In someembodiments, mixer circuitry 1002 may comprise passive mixers, althoughthe scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1014 may be configured toup-convert input baseband signals 1011 based on the synthesizedfrequency 1005 provided by the synthesizer circuitry 1004 to generate RFoutput signals 909 for the FEM circuitry 804A-804B. The baseband signals1011 may be provided by the baseband processing circuitry 808A-808B andmay be filtered by filter circuitry 1012. The filter circuitry 1012 mayinclude an LPF or a BPF, although the scope of the embodiments is notlimited in this respect.

In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1002 and the mixer circuitry1014 may each include two or more mixers and may be arranged forquadrature down-conversion and/or up-conversion respectively with thehelp of synthesizer 1004. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1002and the mixer circuitry 1014 may each include two or more mixers eachconfigured for image rejection (e.g., Hartley image rejection). In someembodiments, the mixer circuitry 1002 and the mixer circuitry 1014 maybe arranged for direct down-conversion and/or direct up-conversion,respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1002 and themixer circuitry 1014 may be configured for super-heterodyne operation,although this is not a requirement.

Mixer circuitry 1002 may comprise, according to one embodiment:quadrature passive mixers (e.g., for the in-phase (I) and quadraturephase (Q) paths). In such an embodiment, RF input signal 907 from FIG. 9may be down-converted to provide I and Q baseband output signals to besent to the baseband processor

Quadrature passive mixers may be driven by zero and ninety-degreetime-varying LO switching signals provided by a quadrature circuitrywhich may be configured to receive a LO frequency (fLO) from a localoscillator or a synthesizer, such as LO frequency 1005 of synthesizer1004 of FIG. 10. In some embodiments, the LO frequency may be thecarrier frequency, while in other embodiments, the LO frequency may be afraction of the carrier frequency (e.g., one-half the carrier frequency,one-third the carrier frequency). In some embodiments, the zero andninety-degree time-varying switching signals may be generated by thesynthesizer, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited inthis respect.

In some embodiments, the LO signals may differ in duty cycle (thepercentage of one period in which the LO signal is high) and/or offset(the difference between start points of the period). In someembodiments, the LO signals may have an 85% duty cycle and an 80%offset. In some embodiments, each branch of the mixer circuitry (e.g.,the in-phase (I) and quadrature phase (Q) path) may operate at an 80%duty cycle, which may result in a significant reduction is powerconsumption.

The RF input signal 907 of FIG. 9 may comprise a balanced signal,although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.The I and Q baseband output signals may be provided to low-noiseamplifier, such as amplifier circuitry 1006 of FIG. 10 or to filtercircuitry 1008 of FIG. 10.

In some embodiments, the output baseband signals 1007 and the inputbaseband signals 1011 may be analog baseband signals, although the scopeof the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some alternateembodiments, the output baseband signals 1007 and the input basebandsignals 1011 may be digital baseband signals. In these alternateembodiments, the radio IC circuitry may include analog-to-digitalconverter (ADC) and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuitry.

In some dual-mode embodiments, a separate radio IC circuitry may beprovided for processing signals for each spectrum, or for otherspectrums not mentioned here, although the scope of the embodiments isnot limited in this respect.

In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuitry 1004 may be afractional-N synthesizer or a fractional N/N+1 synthesizer, although thescope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect as other typesof frequency synthesizers may be suitable. For example, synthesizercircuitry 1004 may be a delta-sigma synthesizer, a frequency multiplier,or a synthesizer comprising a phase-locked loop with a frequencydivider. According to some embodiments, the synthesizer circuitry 1004may include digital synthesizer circuitry. An advantage of using adigital synthesizer circuitry is that, although it may still includesome analog components, its footprint may be scaled down much more thanthe footprint of an analog synthesizer circuitry. In some embodiments,frequency input into synthesizer circuity 1004 may be provided by avoltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), although that is not a requirement.A divider control input may further be provided by either the basebandprocessing circuitry 808A-808B of FIG. 8 or a link aggregator dependingon the desired output frequency 1005. In some embodiments, a dividercontrol input (e.g., N) may be determined from a look-up table (e.g.,within a Wi-Fi card) based on a channel number and a channel centerfrequency as determined or indicated by the link aggregator. Theapplication processor 104 may include, or otherwise be connected to, theexample operation manager 106 of FIG. 1. The application processor 104includes an example timer 1110.

In some embodiments, synthesizer circuitry 1004 may be configured togenerate a carrier frequency as the output frequency 1005, while inother embodiments, the output frequency 1005 may be a fraction of thecarrier frequency (e.g., one-half the carrier frequency, one-third thecarrier frequency). In some embodiments, the output frequency 1305 maybe a LO frequency (fLO).

FIG. 11 illustrates a functional block diagram of baseband processingcircuitry 808A in accordance with some embodiments. The basebandprocessing circuitry 808A is one example of circuitry that may besuitable for use as the baseband processing circuitry 808A of FIG. 11,although other circuitry configurations may also be suitable.Alternatively, the example of FIG. 10 may be used to implement theexample BT baseband processing circuitry 808B of FIG. 8.

The baseband processing circuitry 808A may include a receive basebandprocessor (RX BBP) 1102 for processing receive baseband signals 1009provided by the radio IC circuitry 806A-b of FIG. 8 and a transmitbaseband processor (TX BBP) 1104 for generating transmit basebandsignals 1011 for the radio IC circuitry 806A-b. The baseband processingcircuitry 808A may also include control logic 1106 for coordinating theoperations of the baseband processing circuitry 808A.

In some embodiments (e.g., when analog baseband signals are exchangedbetween the baseband processing circuitry 808A-808B and the radio ICcircuitry 806A-b), the baseband processing circuitry 808A may includeADC 1110 to convert analog baseband signals 1109 received from the radioIC circuitry 806A-b to digital baseband signals for processing by the RXBBP 1102. In these embodiments, the baseband processing circuitry 808Amay also include DAC 1112 to convert digital baseband signals from theTX BBP 1104 to analog baseband signals 1111.

In some embodiments that communicate OFDM signals or OFDMA signals, suchas through baseband processor 808A, the transmit baseband processor 1104may be configured to generate OFDM or OFDMA signals as appropriate fortransmission by performing an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT). Thereceive baseband processor 1102 may be configured to process receivedOFDM signals or OFDMA signals by performing an FFT. In some embodiments,the receive baseband processor 1102 may be configured to detect thepresence of an OFDM signal or OFDMA signal by performing anautocorrelation, to detect a preamble, such as a short preamble, and byperforming a cross-correlation, to detect a long preamble. The preamblesmay be part of a predetermined frame structure for Wi-Fi communication.

Referring back to FIG. 8, in some embodiments, the antennas 801 of FIG.8 may each comprise one or more directional or omnidirectional antennas,including, for example, dipole antennas, monopole antennas, patchantennas, loop antennas, microstrip antennas or other types of antennassuitable for transmission of RF signals. In some multiple-inputmultiple-output (MIMO) embodiments, the antennas may be effectivelyseparated to take advantage of spatial diversity and the differentchannel characteristics that may result. Antennas 801 may each include aset of phased-array antennas, although embodiments are not so limited.

Although the radio architecture 108 is illustrated as having severalseparate functional elements, one or more of the functional elements maybe combined and may be implemented by combinations ofsoftware-configured elements, such as processing elements includingdigital signal processors (DSPs), and/or other hardware elements. Forexample, some elements may comprise one or more microprocessors, DSPs,field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), radio-frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) andcombinations of various hardware and logic circuitry for performing atleast the functions described herein. In some embodiments, thefunctional elements may refer to one or more processes operating on oneor more processing elements.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a processor platform 1200 structured toexecute the example machine readable instructions of FIGS. 6 and 7associated with the AP 102 of FIG. 1 to implement the example AP 102 ofFIG. 1. The processor platform 1200 can be, for example, a server, apersonal computer, a workstation, a self-learning machine (e.g., aneural network), a mobile device (e.g., a cell phone, a smart phone, atablet such as an iPad™), a personal digital assistant (PDA), anInternet appliance or any other type of computing device.

The processor platform 1200 of the illustrated example includes aprocessor 1212. The processor 1212 of the illustrated example ishardware. For example, the processor 1212 can be implemented by one ormore integrated circuits, logic circuits, microprocessors, GPUs, DSPs,or controllers from any desired family or manufacturer. The hardwareprocessor may be a semiconductor based (e.g., silicon based) device. Inthis example, the processor 1212 implements the example applicationprocessor 104, the example operation manager 106, the example radioarchitecture 108, the example interface 202, the example channelassessor 204 and the example frame generator 206.

The processor 1212 of the illustrated example includes a local memory1213 (e.g., a cache). The processor 1212 of the illustrated example isin communication with a main memory including a volatile memory 1214 anda non-volatile memory 1216 via a bus 1218. The volatile memory 1214 maybe implemented by Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory (SDRAM),Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS® Dynamic Random-AccessMemory (RDRAM®) and/or any other type of random access memory device.The non-volatile memory 1216 may be implemented by flash memory and/orany other desired type of memory device. Access to the main memory 1214,1216 is controlled by a memory controller.

The processor platform 1200 of the illustrated example also includes aninterface circuit 1220. The interface circuit 1220 may be implemented byany type of interface standard, such as an Ethernet interface, auniversal serial bus (USB), a Bluetooth® interface, a near fieldcommunication (NFC) interface, and/or a PCI express interface.

In the illustrated example, one or more input devices 1222 are connectedto the interface circuit 1220. The input device(s) 1222 permit(s) a userto enter data and/or commands into the processor 1212. The inputdevice(s) can be implemented by, for example, an audio sensor, amicrophone, a camera (still or video), a keyboard, a button, a mouse, atouchscreen, a track-pad, a trackball, isopoint and/or a voicerecognition system.

One or more output devices 1224 are also connected to the interfacecircuit 1220 of the illustrated example. The output devices 1224 can beimplemented, for example, by display devices (e.g., a light emittingdiode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a cathode ray tube display (CRT), an in-place switching(IPS) display, a touchscreen, etc.), a tactile output device, a printerand/or speaker. The interface circuit 1220 of the illustrated example,thus, typically includes a graphics driver card, a graphics driver chipand/or a graphics driver processor.

The interface circuit 1220 of the illustrated example also includes acommunication device such as a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, amodem, a residential gateway, a wireless access point, and/or a networkinterface to facilitate exchange of data with external machines (e.g.,computing devices of any kind) via a network 1226. The communication canbe via, for example, an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line(DSL) connection, a telephone line connection, a coaxial cable system, asatellite system, a line-of-site wireless system, a cellular telephonesystem, etc.

The processor platform 1200 of the illustrated example also includes oneor more mass storage devices 1228 for storing software and/or data.Examples of such mass storage devices 1228 include floppy disk drives,hard drive disks, compact disk drives, Blu-ray disk drives, redundantarray of independent disks (RAID) systems, and digital versatile disk(DVD) drives.

The machine executable instructions 1232 of FIG. 6 may be stored in themass storage device 1228, in the volatile memory 1214, in thenon-volatile memory 1216, and/or on a removable non-transitory computerreadable storage medium such as a CD or

DVD.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a processor platform structured to executethe example machine readable instructions of FIGS. 6 and 7 associatedwith the STAs 112-118 of FIG. 1 to implement one or more of the exampleSTAs 112-118 of FIG. 1. The processor platform 1300 can be, for example,a server, a personal computer, a workstation, a self-learning machine(e.g., a neural network), a mobile device (e.g., a cell phone, a smartphone, a tablet such as an iPad™), a personal digital assistant (PDA),an Internet appliance or any other type of computing device.

The processor platform 1300 of the illustrated example includes aprocessor 1312. The processor 1312 of the illustrated example ishardware. For example, the processor 1312 can be implemented by one ormore integrated circuits, logic circuits, microprocessors, GPUs, DSPs,or controllers from any desired family or manufacturer. The hardwareprocessor may be a semiconductor based (e.g., silicon based) device. Inthis example, the processor 1312 implements the example interface 120,the example STA radio architecture 122 and an example frame processor124.

The processor 1312 of the illustrated example includes a local memory1313 (e.g., a cache). The processor 1312 of the illustrated example isin communication with a main memory including a volatile memory 1314 anda non-volatile memory 1316 via a bus 1318. The volatile memory 1314 maybe implemented by Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory (SDRAM),Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS® Dynamic Random-AccessMemory (RDRAM®) and/or any other type of random access memory device.The non-volatile memory 1316 may be implemented by flash memory and/orany other desired type of memory device. Access to the main memory 1314,1316 is controlled by a memory controller.

The processor platform 1300 of the illustrated example also includes aninterface circuit 1320. The interface circuit 1320 may be implemented byany type of interface standard, such as an Ethernet interface, auniversal serial bus (USB), a Bluetooth® interface, a near fieldcommunication (NFC) interface, and/or a PCI express interface.

In the illustrated example, one or more input devices 1322 are connectedto the interface circuit 1320. The input device(s) 1322 permit(s) a userto enter data and/or commands into the processor 1312. The inputdevice(s) can be implemented by, for example, an audio sensor, amicrophone, a camera (still or video), a keyboard, a button, a mouse, atouchscreen, a track-pad, a trackball, isopoint and/or a voicerecognition system.

One or more output devices 1324 are also connected to the interfacecircuit 1320 of the illustrated example. The output devices 1324 can beimplemented, for example, by display devices (e.g., a light emittingdiode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a cathode ray tube display (CRT), an in-place switching(IPS) display, a touchscreen, etc.), a tactile output device, a printerand/or speaker. The interface circuit 1320 of the illustrated example,thus, typically includes a graphics driver card, a graphics driver chipand/or a graphics driver processor.

The interface circuit 1320 of the illustrated example also includes acommunication device such as a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, amodem, a residential gateway, a wireless access point, and/or a networkinterface to facilitate exchange of data with external machines (e.g.,computing devices of any kind) via a network 1326. The communication canbe via, for example, an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line(DSL) connection, a telephone line connection, a coaxial cable system, asatellite system, a line-of-site wireless system, a cellular telephonesystem, etc.

The processor platform 1300 of the illustrated example also includes oneor more mass storage devices 1328 for storing software and/or data.Examples of such mass storage devices 1328 include floppy disk drives,hard drive disks, compact disk drives, Blu-ray disk drives, redundantarray of independent disks (RAID) systems, and digital versatile disk(DVD) drives.

The machine executable instructions 1332 of FIG. 6 may be stored in themass storage device 1328, in the volatile memory 1314, in thenon-volatile memory 1316, and/or on a removable non-transitory computerreadable storage medium such as a CD or DVD.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that example methods,apparatus and articles of manufacture have been disclosed that enableaccess points to operate in larger operation when available. Whencompared to the current Wi-Fi standards, the example disclosed heregreatly increase the available throughput of wireless local areanetworks. In some examples, the increased throughput can be utilized toincrease uplink and downlink of computing devices connected to WLANs.

Example 1 includes a method, comprising performing an assessment of awireless network, determining an operation mode for a basic service set(BSS) bandwidth based on the assessment, the operation mode indicatingcontinuity of a primary segment, a secondary segment, a tertiary segmentand a quaternary segment, creating a management frame includinginformation fields based on the BSS bandwidth, the information fieldsincluding a first channel width field, a second channel width field, athird channel width field, a first center frequency field, a secondcenter frequency field and a third center frequency field, andtransmitting the management frame over the wireless network.

Example 2 includes the method of example 1, further includingdetermining one or more operation bands of the wireless network.

Example 3 includes the method of example 1, wherein the primary segment,the secondary segment, the tertiary segment, and the quaternary segmentare continuous.

Example 4 includes the method of example 3, wherein the first channelwidth field is a first value, the second channel width field is thefirst value, the third channel width field is a second value, the firstcenter frequency field is a nonzero value and the second centerfrequency field is a center frequency of the continuous segment.

Example 5 includes the method of example 1, wherein the primary segmentand the secondary segment are continuous, and the tertiary segment andthe quaternary segment are continuous.

Example 6 includes the method of example 5, wherein the first channelwidth field is a first value, the second channel width field is thefirst value, the third channel width field is a second value, the firstcenter frequency field is a nonzero value and the second centerfrequency field is a center frequency of the tertiary segment and thequaternary segment.

Example 7 includes the method as in any one of examples 1-6, wherein themanagement frame includes a new element, the new element including thesecond center frequency field, the third center frequency field and thethird channel width field.

Example 8 includes the method as in any one of examples 1-6, furtherincluding transmitting a frame to one or more STAs, the frame including(1) information to enable simultaneous transmission of data packets fromthe one or more STAs and (2) a bandwidth field with one or more bits ina reserved subfield in a common info field.

Example 9 includes the method of example 8, wherein the frame furtherincludes a resource unit allocation subfield including a first bit toindicate if a resource unit allocation is included in a primary 160 MHzsegment or a secondary 160 MHz segment.

Example 10 includes the method of example 9, wherein the resource unitallocation subfield further includes a second entry to indicate if theresource unit allocation is included in a continuous 320 MHz segment.

Example 11 includes a tangible computer readable storage medium, which,when executed, cause a machine to perform the method of any one ofexamples 1 through example 10 includes example 12 includes a tangiblecomputer readable storage medium comprising instructions which, whenexecuted, cause a processor to at least perform an assessment of awireless network, determine an operation mode for a basic service set(bss) bandwidth based on the assessment, the operation mode indicatingcontinuity of a primary segment, a secondary segment, a tertiary segmentand a quaternary segment, create a management frame includinginformation fields based on the bss bandwidth, the information fieldsincluding a first channel width field, a second channel width field, athird channel width field, a first center frequency field, a secondcenter frequency field and a third center frequency field, and transmitthe management frame over the wireless network.

Example 13 includes the tangible computer readable storage medium ofexample 12, wherein the instructions further cause the processor todetermine one or more operation bands of the wireless network.

Example 14 includes the tangible computer readable storage medium ofexample 12, wherein the primary segment, the secondary segment, thetertiary segment, and the quaternary segment are continuous.

Example 15 includes the tangible computer readable storage medium ofexample 14, wherein the first channel width field is a first value, thesecond channel width field is the first value, the third channel widthfield is a second value, the first center frequency field is a nonzerovalue and the second center frequency field is a center frequency of thecontinuous segment.

Example 16 includes the tangible computer readable storage medium ofexample 12, wherein the primary segment and the secondary segment arecontinuous, and the tertiary segment and the quaternary segment arecontinuous.

Example 17 includes the tangible computer readable storage medium ofexample 16, wherein the first channel width field is a first value, thesecond channel width field is the first value, the third channel widthfield is a second value, the first center frequency field is a nonzerovalue and the second center frequency field is a center frequency of thetertiary segment and the quaternary segment.

Example 18 includes the tangible computer readable storage medium as inany one of examples 12-17, wherein the management frame includes a newelement, the new element including the second center frequency field,the third center frequency field and the third channel width field.

Example 19 includes the tangible computer readable storage medium as inany one of examples 12-17, wherein the instructions further cause theprocessor to transmit a frame to one or more STAs, the frame including(1) information to enable simultaneous transmission of data packets fromthe one or more STAs and (2) a bandwidth field with one or more bits ina reserved subfield in a common info field.

Example 20 includes the tangible computer readable storage medium ofexample 19, wherein the frame further includes a resource unitallocation subfield including a first bit to indicate if a resource unitallocation is included in a primary 160 MHz segment or a secondary 160MHz segment.

Example 21 includes the tangible computer readable storage medium ofexample 20, wherein the resource unit allocation subfield furtherincludes a second entry to indicate if the resource unit allocation isincluded in a continuous 320 MHz segment.

Example 22 includes an apparatus, comprising a channel assessor toperform an assessment of a wireless network, an application processor todetermine an operation mode for a basic service set (bss) bandwidthbased on the assessment, the operation mode indicating continuity of aprimary segment, a secondary segment, a tertiary segment and aquaternary segment, a frame generator to create a management frameincluding information fields based on the bss bandwidth, the informationfields including a first channel width field, a second channel widthfield, a third channel width field, a first center frequency field, asecond center frequency field and a third center frequency field, andradio architecture to transmit the management frame over the wirelessnetwork.

Example 23 includes the apparatus of example 22, wherein the applicationprocessor is further to determine one or more operation bands of thewireless network.

Example 24 includes the apparatus of example 22, wherein the primarysegment, the secondary segment, the tertiary segment, and the quaternarysegment are continuous.

Example 25 includes the apparatus of example 24, wherein the firstchannel width field is a first value, the second channel width field isthe first value, the third channel width field is a second value, thefirst center frequency field is a nonzero value and the second centerfrequency field is a center frequency of the continuous segment.

Example 26 includes the apparatus of example 22, wherein the primarysegment and the secondary segment are continuous, and the tertiarysegment and the quaternary segment are continuous.

Example 27 includes the apparatus of example 26, wherein the firstchannel width field is a first value, the second channel width field isthe first value, the third channel width field is a second value, thefirst center frequency field is a nonzero value and the second centerfrequency field is a center frequency of the tertiary segment andquaternary segment.

Example 28 includes the apparatus as in any one of examples 22-27,wherein the management frame includes a new element, the new elementincluding the second center frequency field, the third center frequencyfield and the third channel width field.

Example 29 includes the apparatus as in any one of examples 22-27,wherein the frame generator is further to create a frame including (1)information to enable simultaneous transmission of data packets from oneor more STAs and (2) a bandwidth field with one or more bits in areserved subfield in a common info field.

Example 30 includes the apparatus of example 29, wherein the framefurther includes a resource unit allocation subfield including a firstbit to indicate if a resource unit allocation is included in a primary160 MHz segment or a secondary 160 MHz segment.

Example 31 includes the apparatus of example 30, wherein the resourceunit allocation subfield further includes a second entry to indicate ifthe resource unit allocation is included in a continuous 320 MHzsegment. Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles ofmanufacture have been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of thispatent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers allmethods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within thescope of the claims of this patent.

Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacturehave been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is notlimited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods,apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope ofthe claims of this patent.

1-31. (canceled)
 32. A method, comprising: performing an assessment of awireless network; determining an operation mode for a basic service set(BSS) bandwidth based on the assessment, the operation mode indicatingcontinuity of a primary segment, a secondary segment, a tertiary segmentand a quaternary segment; creating a management frame includinginformation fields based on the BSS bandwidth, the information fieldsincluding a first channel width field, a second channel width field, athird channel width field, a first center frequency field, a secondcenter frequency field and a third center frequency field; andtransmitting the management frame over the wireless network.
 33. Themethod of claim 32, wherein the primary segment, the secondary segment,the tertiary segment, and the quaternary segment are a continuoussegment.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the first channel widthfield is a first value, the second channel width field is the firstvalue, the third channel width field is a second value, the first centerfrequency field is a nonzero value and the second center frequency fieldis a center frequency of the continuous segment.
 35. The method of claim32, wherein the primary segment and the secondary segment arecontinuous, and the tertiary segment and the quaternary segment arecontinuous.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the first channel widthfield is a first value, the second channel width field is the firstvalue, the third channel width field is a second value, the first centerfrequency field is a nonzero value and the second center frequency fieldis a center frequency of the tertiary segment and the quaternarysegment.
 37. The method of claim 32, wherein the management frameincludes a new element, the new element including the second centerfrequency field, the third center frequency field and the third channelwidth field.
 38. The method of claim 32, further including transmittinga frame to one or more STAs, the frame including (1) information toenable simultaneous transmission of data packets from the one or moreSTAs and (2) a bandwidth field with one or more bits in a reservedsubfield in a common info field.
 39. A tangible computer readablestorage medium comprising instructions which, when executed, cause aprocessor to at least: perform an assessment of a wireless network;determine an operation mode for a basic service set (BSS) bandwidthbased on the assessment, the operation mode indicating continuity of aprimary segment, a secondary segment, a tertiary segment and aquaternary segment; create a management frame including informationfields based on the BSS bandwidth, the information fields including afirst channel width field, a second channel width field, a third channelwidth field, a first center frequency field, a second center frequencyfield and a third center frequency field; and transmit the managementframe over the wireless network.
 40. The tangible computer readablestorage medium of claim 39, wherein the primary segment, the secondarysegment, the tertiary segment, and the quaternary segment are acontinuous segment.
 41. The tangible computer readable storage medium ofclaim 40, wherein the first channel width field is a first value, thesecond channel width field is the first value, the third channel widthfield is a second value, the first center frequency field is a nonzerovalue and the second center frequency field is a center frequency of thecontinuous segment.
 42. The tangible computer readable storage medium ofclaim 41, wherein the primary segment and the secondary segment arecontinuous, and the tertiary segment and the quaternary segment arecontinuous.
 43. The tangible computer readable storage medium of claim42, wherein the first channel width field is a first value, the secondchannel width field is the first value, the third channel width field isa second value, the first center frequency field is a nonzero value andthe second center frequency field is a center frequency of the tertiarysegment and the quaternary segment.
 44. The tangible computer readablestorage medium of claim 39, wherein the management frame includes a newelement, the new element including the second center frequency field,the third center frequency field and the third channel width field. 45.The tangible computer readable storage medium of claim 39, wherein theinstructions further cause the processor to transmit a frame to one ormore STAs, the frame including (1) information to enable simultaneoustransmission of data packets from the one or more STAs and (2) abandwidth field with one or more bits in a reserved subfield in a commoninfo field.
 46. An apparatus, comprising: a channel assessor to performan assessment of a wireless network; an application processor todetermine an operation mode for a basic service set (BSS) bandwidthbased on the assessment, the operation mode indicating continuity of aprimary segment, a secondary segment, a tertiary segment and aquaternary segment; a frame generator to create a management frameincluding information fields based on the BSS bandwidth, the informationfields including a first channel width field, a second channel widthfield, a third channel width field, a first center frequency field, asecond center frequency field and a third center frequency field; andradio architecture to transmit the management frame over the wirelessnetwork.
 47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the primary segment, thesecondary segment, the tertiary segment, and the quaternary segment area continuous segment.
 48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the firstchannel width field is a first value, the second channel width field isthe first value, the third channel width field is a second value, thefirst center frequency field is a nonzero value and the second centerfrequency field is a center frequency of the continuous segment.
 49. Theapparatus of claim 46, wherein the primary segment and the secondarysegment are continuous, and the tertiary segment and the quaternarysegment are continuous.
 50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the firstchannel width field is a first value, the second channel width field isthe first value, the third channel width field is a second value, thefirst center frequency field is a nonzero value and the second centerfrequency field is a center frequency of the tertiary segment andquaternary segment.
 51. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the framegenerator is further to create a frame including (1) information toenable simultaneous transmission of data packets from one or more STAsand (2) a bandwidth field with one or more bits in a reserved subfieldin a common info field.